Death Carrier

There was nothing left. Metallix was gone, vaporised. Omega took one look and ran. A toppling tower would have stopped anyone who saw him. It is done.

Shadow stuck around long enough for Sonic to see he was still alive. How did I-? What am-? He took one last look around, then-

"Chaos Control." He sounded distracted. But it felt wrong, somehow. Something was… pulling him.

Even if Sonic could have followed him, he couldn't have fought him. That was what he kept repeating to himself as he pulled his friends together on the remains of the falling Carrier. Few were conscious. Most of them were bleeding. So much blood. How the hell do we get out of here?!

The last of the robots were leaping over the side, taking their chances. Some activated jet packs, but the majority just dropped.

"Mighty." It was little more than a gasp from Espio. "You have to save Mighty. Somewhere…on this thing…"

With one last look at them, Sonic tore across the ship at supersonic speed. Above him, Rouge activated her wrist comm. "Omni-Viewer online." she whispered, then grabbed a handy thermal and glided to safety.

Prison Block

Grimer cowered in the corner. Robotnik slept on peacefully, oblivious. Opposite them, another cell door hung open. Whoever was in there is long gone. Sonic realised, as he smashed through the occupied cell. "Go! Get out of here!" he roared, still going.

Laboratory

There he was. In some kind of tube, doped to the eyes. He barely recognised Sonic when he was released. Didn't matter. Back through the cells, through the maze of corridors back to the

Death Carrier

rest of them. Well, at least they could die together. Sonic sat down, calm at last. What a way to go, though. The ultimate blaze of glory.

Why is it always war ships I make crash? Not regular ships, or cars, but air ships. I probably should have made, like, a boat crash, to keep it fresh. His thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of the Omni Viewer.

"Quickly, Sonic!"

Fire gutted the once-proud ship. It warped and convulsed, and finally exploded.

Emerald Hill Zone

Tails sat on a hilltop, watching the Island rise into the air once more. Porker hadn't been happy at the loss of the Emeralds, but it gave them a chance to talk. Tails hadn't even realised how much he'd missed Porker.

Funny. Porker quit because of the Metallix, years ago. A month of torture. But with their pirated Omni-Viewer, that month had become years. Centuries, maybe.

He blinked the thought away, took to the air, and headed for Sonic, on the beach below.

Metropolis Zone

Chaotix and Sonic hadn't parted amicably. Sonic had let Shadow escape, again. And their families went unavenged. But at least they knew he was out there. Vector had set up a monitor for him. Sooner or later, they'd get him.

Till then, there were cases to examine, experiments to perform and bad guys to beat.

There always was.

Frog Forest

"Release me, you fool!" Buddy shrieked. Big watched his line arc across the water. "Return me to the robot! He has a mind I could use!"

"Sorry, Buddy. The hedgehog said he got blowed up." Big replied. His stomach grumbled. "Hungry." Buddy rolled his eyes in frustration.

"I was a Drakon Prosectuer. AND a god." he muttered, settling down to sleep the depression away.

Emerald Hill Zone

With a grin, Sonic watched the Island return to the heavens. Not a bad days work, in the end. Metallix was gone, the Emeralds were recovered, his name was cleared (not that he even knew it needed it) and the kidnapped had been rescued. They also captured Robotnik and Grimer. Maybe now, it could be over.

"SONIC!" echoed down from overhead. Tails landed hard on the sand. Sonic let him catch his breath, at ease. There was plenty of time. Behind him, he could hear the sounds of Amy and Cream playing with the Chao.

Misery Zone

"It has begun. My allies draw nearer. Within weeks, we can begin." Metallix said, lounging on its throne. "Using a Chaos explosion to mask the Omni-Viewer snatching me away was a stroke of genius. No doubt they have their suspicions, but nothing more." It stood up, looking to its guards. The finest robots it had ever constructed. The first robots it had ever constructed, in a distant time on a planet far away. "And now we can work safely, under cover of my death. And it is courtesy of you, my loyal servant."

Omega bowed humbly. "My thanks, Master."

Somewhere Else

Darkness. A strong smell was the only clue he had. Ammonia and sweat. And blood. Lots of blood. The smell of long dead things.

"Where am I?" he mumbled. His tongue felt like sandpaper. Wires snaked from every part of his body.

"Welcome home, Shadow." Something moved around the room, a shadow in the darkness. "I imagine you don't know who I am. Not to worry, my child. Before long, you'll know everything you'll ever need."

Electricity began to course through the wires. And all Shadow could do was scream.

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Never the end